Warning over illegal earthworks to realign waterways
Anyone carrying out illegal earthworks to realign or reclaim waterways may face prosecution and potentially a hefty fine, Taranaki Regional Council says.
A million native plants have been distributed to Taranaki farmers by Taranaki Regional Council.
The distribution is part of the council’s Riparian Management Programme which has 99.7% of the region’s dairy farmers voluntarily commit to fencing and planting their waterways.
As part of the programme, almost a thousand farmers descended on five depots across Taranaki last week for the annual plant pick-up.
At each depot a steady stream of farmers and landowners backed up utes and trailers load up from approximately 40 species of native plants.
“I’m pretty excited and I am looking forward to the next part,” says dairy farmer David Werder, who milks 530 cows across two South Taranaki farms.
Werder gained 2,600 new plants, ready to go in the ground, which will almost complete his riparian plan.
He says the next couple of years will be spent filling in any gaps.
Council land services manager Don Shearman says last week marked an opportunity to reflect on how far the programme had come from its beginnings 25 years ago.
“Back then, we handed out 15,000 plants from a lock-up at the Council – a farmer would turn up and we’d drop our pens and head outside to load them up. Now we have this huge logistical operation, growing a million plants to order.”
Shearman says he is proud that Taranaki’s dairy farmers have achieved good results with the programme.
“The Council works alongside farmers to prepare riparian plans for their properties and we support them with wholesale plants. But in the end they do it because they are committed to improving freshwater quality and biodiversity on their land, leaving it healthier for future generations.”
Shearman reminded farmers to get their orders in for next winter by 1 July 2021 to ensure they get wholesale rates.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.